Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, further to recent reports, schools in County Kildare have experienced an increase in pupil/teacher ratios in the past five years; the action she proposed to take to address the issue in areas of population growth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23875/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to previous parliamentary questions and the replies thereto which indicated an improvement in pupil/teacher ratios, the way in which it has transpired that some schools have actually recorded increased pupil/teacher ratios; the cause or causes of same; if such schools are located in areas of population growth; her plans to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23876/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. If the Deputy would like information on a particular school or schools, my officials would be happy to provide it.

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 23/06 which issued to all primary schools recently.

Within the terms of the current staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent Appeal Board is now in place to decide on any staffing appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 0024/2006 which is also available on my Department's website.